Give ’em 5: The Top Centers In The State
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It is only fitting that I start this series with the “Bigs” who anchor down low. When we think about the 5 position, so many things come to mind. How they anchor the paint, their ability to work block to…
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Continue ReadingIt is only fitting that I start this series with the “Bigs” who anchor down low. When we think about the 5 position, so many things come to mind. How they anchor the paint, their ability to work block to block, their counter moves, their put backs, flashing to the elbow, working the pick n’ roll game, ect. Some 5s even have the ability to stretch the floor, knocking down the occasional three from the perimeter. Either way, having a solid 5 on the floor is a game changer. Coaches game plan for them, opponents fear getting paint touches.
As I scoured the state, I thought about who are some of the best centers in the state. The criteria wasn’t just based on size, but those who brought an impactful punch that their squad needed. These girls hit multiple statistical categories and played a big part on both ends of the floor. Technically, could they be listed and ranked based off of production, yes. But teams/coaches use their bigs for different reasons. Here are the top 25 “Bigs” you should watch around the state. Not so much based on production, but because they are a factor in their teams success.
(This ranking is not in any particular order, but by classification.)
- Maddy Newman Maddy Newman 6'2" | C Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN (6’2/ Sr./Gatlinburg-Pittman)
- Aaiyanna Dunbar Aaiyanna Dunbar 6'2" | C Blackman | 2024 State TN (6’2/Sr./Blackman)
- Rachel Griffin Rachel Griffin 6'3" | C Rossville Christian Academy | 2024 State TN (6’3/Sr./Fayette Ware)
- Chrishunti Walker Chrishunti Walker 6'2" | C Rossville Academy | 2024 State TN (6’2/Sr./ Rossville Academy)
- Amelia Pfeiffer Amelia Pfeiffer 6'2" | C Alcoa | 2024 State TN (6’2/Sr./Alcoa)
- Celeste Reed Celeste Reed 5'11" | C White Co. | 2024 State TN (5’11/Sr./White Co.)
- Josie Horner Josie Horner 6'2" | C Northview Academy | 2024 State TN (6’2/Sr./ Norview Academy)
- Chloe Phillips (6’0/Sr./Oakland)
- Isabel Garcia Isabel Garcia 5'10" | C Cookeville | 2024 State TN (5’11/ Sr./ Cookeville)
- Lilly Kee Lilly Kee 6'0" | PF Huntingdon | 2024 State TN (6’1/ Sr./ Huntingdon)
- Anu Richard (5’11/Sr./ Station Camp)
- Channah Gannon Channah Gannon 6'0" | PF Coffee Co. | 2025 State TN (6’0/ Jr./ Coffee Co.)
- Jenna Johnson Jenna Johnson 5'11" | C Oak Ridge | 2025 State TN (5’11/Jr./ Oak Ridge)
- Jayda Bernard Jayda Bernard 6'1" | C Stewart's Creek | 2025 State TN (6’2/ Jr./ Stewart’s Creek)
- Dacarra Ward (6’2/ Jr./ Bartlett)
- Natalie Green Natalie Green 5'10" | PF Macon Co. | 2025 State TN (5’11/Jr./ Macon Co.)
- Yazmine Pearson Yazmine Pearson 5'10" | C Kenwood | 2025 State TN (5’10/Jr./Kenwood)
- Chloe Heath Chloe Heath 6'0" | SF Clinton | 2025 State TN (6’1/Jr./ Heritage)
- Anna Williams Anna Williams 6'2" | C Brentwood | 2026 State TN (6’2/So./Brentwood)
- Samiyah Jones Samiyah Jones 6'2" | PF Bartlett | 2026 State TN (6’2/So./ Bartlett)
- Cecilie Brandimore Cecilie Brandimore 6'3" | C Franklin | 2026 State TN (6’2/So./Franklin)
- Kayte Madison Bjornstad Kayte Madison Bjornstad 6'1" | C Franklin Road Christian School | 2026 State TN (6’1/So./ Providence Christian Academy)
- Marley Spiers Marley Spiers 6'3" | C Clarksville Christian | 2027 TN (6’3/Fr./ Clarksville Christian)
- Alayna Duhart Alayna Duhart 5'11" | C Brentwood Academy | 2027 TN (5’11/Fr./Brentwood Academy)
- Payton Richmond Payton Richmond 6'0" | C Powell | 2027 TN (5’11/Fr./Powell)